[Apollo]

It had taken me longer than I would like to admit - 5 minutes, an embarrassing amount of time for a god, but I was still getting used to his godhood again - to figure out exactly the 'Who, What, Where, and When' of my current situation.

'Who' was answered by the way that Free-Will was clouding the futures of specific heroes who have strong ties or are the cause of a prophecy. Luke Castellan, Perseus Jackson, Annabeth Chase, and Nico di Angelo were the four that seemed to glow so strongly with Free-Will that I couldn't even see five minutes into their future.

'What' was answered with "Time Travel, duh."

'Where' was my Temple on Olympus, Camp Half-Blood, the Lotus Hotel and Casino, and the Jackson home.

'When' was June 18th, 2004.

The 'Why' and 'How' of my situation are far more complicated as my answer currently was "I don't know" - which is not the best thing for the god of knowledge to answer with.

I knew that I have to reach out to the other time travellers, but the question was how do I contact them?

Two of my companions were at Camp, which I couldn't get to without alerting my father. Nico di Angelo was in the hands of the Lotus Eaters, and I couldn't do anything until he broke himself out. Percy Jackson was in his apartment, but I feared that my father or Uncle P would notice if I talked to him.

In the end, I figured Percy was my best bet. He would be the least likely to get me caught breaking the Ancient Laws and he was able to spread the word since I couldn't.

But first, maybe I should start enacting my newly given Free-Will by helping my fellow heroes at Camp Half-Blood.

oOo

Hermes was fluttering at his work desk, fielding messages and packages while somehow answering three phone calls at once. George and Martha were helping by directing him to the most important tasks. The office space was a flurry of paperwork and filled with stolen knick-knacks - I winced, I'm so glad that I'm not so burdened with a domain that requires so much attention.

Hermes took five minutes to finally look up and notice me, but when he did, he stopped working immediately.

"What's going on, Apollo?" Hermes asked, looking at me with something that one could almost call concern. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes and no," I frowned. "You have some unclaimed kids right now." It was not a question.

He scowled, "And what?"

"You need to claim them."

"What?"

I grabbed Hermes by his arms, ignoring his protests, and forcing him to look at me. I was deadly serious.

"Hermes, I need you to go down to Camp and claim your children."

He searched my face for something, "Why? Apollo, what happened?"

"No," I shook my head, "What hasn't happened. What won't happen. Go down to Camp, talk to your children, and claim them."

He forced me to look at him again. "Brother, please, tell me."

"It will be better if you do what I told you. I know this isn't making sense, but you have to, it will save a life - possibly more. The future is clouded enough right now. This is the only chance you'll have." I broke out of his grip, "Father won't notice if you go right now and don't stay for more than an hour."

He nodded tensely and stepped back. His jaw was clenched as he gave me one last look over before he spun on his heel to leave.

I hesitated, but called out, "and Hermes?"

"Yeah, 'Pollo?"

"I'm sorry for your mortal lover, May Castellan. She would've been a great Oracle - one of the best."

He gaped at me in shock. We've drifted apart since May tried to accept the spirit of my Oracle; he blamed me and I was too self-absorbed in my own pity to notice he felt guilty. My time in the mortal world had changed me, and I realized many of my own failures. So much I could have done better...

"Thank you," Hermes grabbed my hand, snapping me out of my own misery. "Brother, I know that something is wrong. If you can't tell me, then tell Artemis. She can help." And disappeared.

Artemis, my older sister, my twin. Am I a bad brother to say I forgot about her at this moment? Ha, I've always been a bad brother. At least I tried, and this time around I'll be even better. Burdening her with my second chance (my failure) isn't right. I can do this myself.

And I have so much to do…

I only stood there for a few seconds before sighing and flashing away to the familiar sight of Manhattan streets. Walking up the steps to the apartment, I knocked on the door.

I could hear a feminine call of "Coming!" from the other side before the door was pulled open.

The familiar yet too young face of Sally Jackson stared back at me, her face portraying her shock and fear - I hate when people look at me with fear - before she quickly bowed to me and whispered a fervent "Lord Apollo."

My hand shot out to right her - she flinched, Oh, how that makes me hate myself - and smiled at her. "No need for honorifics, My Lady. I'm not here to harm anyone."

I hate that she thinks that she needs to appease me. I know Sally Jackson, she became almost a second mother to me when I refused to regain my godhood.

She nods quickly and I despise how quickly I frighten her again with my next words, "I need to speak to your son."

[Percy]

I had been awake for an hour, and was going through my plan to murder my step-father without going to jail (suicide with pain meds then falling asleep and drowning in the bathtub), when Nico and Bianca melt out of the shadows and onto my bed with a small "Oof."

Nico was tiny, his skin was that healthy olive tone he used to have, and he was wearing bright clothes. Bianca was just like I'd last seen her, sans the Hunter outfit. Both looked freaked out, though I'm guessing for two different reasons from the way Bianca looked like she was five seconds from a heart attack and Nico was slightly pale and looking at me with such desperation.

"Percy!" He called, "Please tell me you remember the future too!"

I was at his side in a second, with a glass of water to help heal him with. "Yeah, Neeks, I do."

The tension drained out of him so quickly he nearly passed out, and I was thankful he was already laying on my bed. "Thank Olympus."

Bianca's outburst had us both turning back to her, "What the hell was that? Who are you? Why are you also talking about the future?"

"I see you didn't explain anything to her," I said dryly to my cousin. "Wait, did you shadow travel all the way from Vegas to here? Nico! That's dangerous, you aren't as powerful as you were!"

"Sorry," Nico muttered, not looking sorry at all. "I panicked."

"And I'm panicking! What's going on?" Bianca interrupted.

I went to turn back to Nico to tell him he can explain to his sister, but with a sigh I realise he's already passed out. Great, I get to deal with the hysterical worried daughter of Hades.

"Sit down, Bianca, this is a long story." She looked at me with apprehension but did so, and I began to explain.

oOo

Nico woke up three hours later, and I railed him out for the stunt he pulled despite knowing full well he shouldn't have done it.

We spent most of the time trying to figure out what had happened and if there were other people than just us in the same boat. Poor Bianca was overwhelmed with everything and had disappeared into the kitchen a while ago to make sandwiches for her brother.

Gabe had gone to work soon after they had arrived so he wasn't a problem, but I could still feel the di Angelo siblings concerned glances at the messy apartment and the bruises I was sporting.

"I'm just saying, Perce, Annabeth might not remember."

"But you do!" I burst out, already heartbroken at the thought that my wife wouldn't remember who I was. "Why would you remember and not Annabeth? She's been at my side for every quest!"

"I'm sorry, but whatever is going on isn't logical. If it was, why would it bring us so far back? The master bolt isn't even stolen yet." He points out.

I flop back onto the bed, "I know! I just-"

"-Can't live without her." Nico finishes and pats my head.

"Exactly."

"We'll figure it out soon enough, Kelp Head."

"Thanks, Death Breath"

We grin at each other, and for a second everything is okay again. Then I heard my mom open the door and yell, "Percy, I'm home!"

Shoot, I forgot she has the afternoon off for the night shift today. How am I going to explain Nico and Bianca to her?

I clamber off of my bed to hear her spot Bianca in the kitchen. "Oh! Hello there, I didn't know Percy brought anyone over."

Bianca saves the day by answering, "Sorry about that, Ms Jackson. It was a last minute thing. My brother is with Percy in his room right now, I was just making a snack. I'm Bianca di Angelo, my little brother is Nico."

I appear with Nico on my heels and smile sheepishly, "Sorry mom. You wouldn't mind an impromptu sleepover, would you?"

She gives me an unimpressed look, but smiles at the siblings. "I don't mind, but watch for Gabriel, okay? I think he's in a mood."

I nod quickly and drag both siblings back into my room, Bianca with sandwiches and Nico with drinks.

"Thanks for that, Bianca." I say gratefully.

She shoots me a glare, "I don't like lying, but I won't say anything to your mom."

I quickly agree, and shove one of the sandwiches into my mouth. Mhmm, Ham and Cheese!

oOo

It's almost dinner time and mom had just woken from her nap when there was a knock at the door.

Huh? Who would be knocking at the door, at this hour? I share a glance with Nico and he quickly passes me my baseball bat to use as an emergency weapon. I can't wait until I can get Riptide back.

We slowly crept towards the living room where we heard voices - mom and some other man - when I heard the words; "I need to speak to your son." At that, I stepped out of the shadows Nico was hiding us in.

To my surprise, it was not a monster or a god that noticed something was up. It was Apollo - who might be a god, but never one who seemed to care very much about demi-gods until he became mortal himself.

Apollo, standing tall in his dazzlingly perfect godly form, wearing a golden chiton, looked so out of place in the messy, cheap apartment, I would have laughed but I didn't. Apollo, while looking like a super model of a super model, seemed to exude humbleness, almost as if…

"Perseus Jackson, it's good to see you." He smiled.

"Do I know you?" He might remember, but it's always good to have caution.

"Percy!" Mom hissed, darting her eyes between me and Apollo.

He tilted his head, "Perhaps. Do tell Nico and Bianca to come out of the shadows, I need to talk to all of you."

The siblings strode into the living room, both looking cautious. Bianca had pulled Nico close to her side in a protective gesture.

Apollo turned to my mom, "I'm sorry, My Lady, but I have to talk to the children in private." She hesitated for a second, so he continued, "I'd swear not to harm them, but I don't think any of us want my father to notice this little gathering."

Mom gave me a look that said, 'Behave' and left.

Apollo turned to us, "So, do you guys have any ideas on to how the fuck we time travelled?"

A/N

So like, I'm still trying to fix this format. I'm so annoyed. Tell me if it worked!